AUTHOR=Pětrošová Helena , Mikhael Abanoub , Culos Sophie , Giraud-Gatineau Alexandre , Gomez Alloysius M. , Sherman Matthew E. , Ernst Robert K. , Cameron Caroline E. , Picardeau Mathieu , Goodlett David R. 

TITLE=Lipid A structural diversity among members of the genus Leptospira

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181034

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181034

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Lipid A is the hydrophobic component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and an activator of the host immune system. Bacteria modify their lipid A structure to adapt to the surrounding environment and, in some cases, to evade recognition by host immune cells. In this study, lipid A structural diversity within the <italic>Leptospira</italic> genus was explored. The individual <italic>Leptospira</italic> species have dramatically different pathogenic potential that ranges from non-infectious to life-threatening disease (leptospirosis). Ten distinct lipid A profiles, denoted L1-L10, were discovered across 31 <italic>Leptospira</italic> reference species, laying a foundation for lipid A-based molecular typing. Tandem MS analysis revealed structural features of <italic>Leptospira</italic> membrane lipids that might alter recognition of its lipid A by the host innate immune receptors. Results of this study will aid development of strategies to improve diagnosis and surveillance of leptospirosis, as well as guide functional studies on <italic>Leptospira</italic> lipid A activity.</p>